Door-latch mechanism



30, 1929. J, R, $M|TH 1,711,213

DOOR LATCH MECHANISM Filed Nov. 14, 1927 /0 /5 /7 PLV nf" 2 ATTORNEYPatented Apr. 30, 1929.

UNITED STATES JOHN R. SMITH, 0F LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

DOOR-LATGB; MECHANISM.

Application led November 14, 192'7` Serial No. 233,176.

This invention relates to latch mechanisms of the closure fasteningclass and somewhat of the nature of the device shown in my applicationS. N. 164,814, filed Jan. 31, 1927.

In that device a tumbler or latching member is retracted by acontrolling handle.

An object of my present invention is to provide a relatively freetumbler latch which,

-While partially controlled by a handle means,

acts independently therof when the closure carrying it is opened orclosed. A further purpose is to provide means `for constantly exerting ajambing effect on the latch member While this is closed so as toeliminate rattling of parts.

A further object is to provide an extremely simple, low cost and ruggedlatch mechanism, and to provide a mechanism of few parts and involving aminimum of degree of costly machine Work.

There are other objects, advantages and features of construction andcombination as will be made manifest in the ensuing specification of theherewith'illustrative embodiment; it being understood thatmodifications,

variations and adaptations may be resorted to Within the spirit, scopeand princ1ple of the invention as itis more dlrectly claimedhereinafter.

- of a mutilated disc body 2 having a toothlike 'lug 3-at one'side ofwhich 1s a tooth pocket 4 andat the other side of which is anobtuse-angle recess 5. The body 2 has a trunnion) or pivot pin 6 as towhich the tooth lug 3 is about radial. The body 2 resents a cylindricalface 7 to the nose 10 o a sliding box 11 which is operative in a casing12 shown mortised into a door D Whose swinging edge shuts against a stopjamb J in Which is sunk a keeper 8 having a tooth-like striking lip 9,and which is positioned to lie in the path of the lath lug 3 when thisis in the ready position, Fig. 3 in which Athe door is standingreleased. I

. When the door is pushed closed the lug 3 lmpinges .against the fixedtooth 9 and its reaction turns the latch body 2 to the position shown inFig. 1. When this position 1s assumed the box nose 10 is automaticallythrust into the recess 5 of the body 2 by the expansive action of asprinr 15 which seats *act against box lugs 10a.

' The spring 15 has the main function of pressing the box nose 10 towardor against the inner or round face 7 of the latch body 2 when the boy 2is turned inward in the near end of casinoi 12. When the keeper tooth 9causes rotation of the latch body 2 as the door closes the body recess 5swings in front of the nose 10 and the spring 15in stantly forces thenose into the recess and in so doing the nose impinges a cam face 5a ofthe body 2 and as the door sets on its jamb seat the tooth 9 becomes abuttress for the corner 2n of the body 2.

When the door is closed (Fig. 1) theaction of the spring is to press thenose 10 at point 5a against the body 2 which acts as a lever on point2lo land jambs the door corner `to its seat 0. j y

The latched door cannot be opened until the retractor pulls the nose 10back clear of the body 2. As the door is opened by hand (or otherwise)the tooth 9 causes the bodily moving latch body 2 to turn on its pivot 3to the position of Fig. 2. When the stem S is `freed from hand pressurethe spring forces the nose against the face 7 of the latch body, Whereit will rest until the door is closed and thereby the body again turneduntil the nose Wedges into the recess 5. This Wedging action isaccelerated by the spring 15. When the door is closedl and latched, thespring still has a jambing action which kills all rattle and eliminatesslack joints.

It is desirable to lightly hold thelatch body 2 iii-a ready position,Fig. 2, so that if the nose 10 is held back clear then the tooth-lug 3'will stand out from the edge of the door. lhisis automaticallyaccomplished by a light spring 22 coiled on the pivot 6 and having oneend connected to the body 2 and the other end held in the box Wall.

The invention claimed is:

1. A-latch mechanism including a striker having a tooth part, and arotary latch member having a tooth pocket to mesh With said part, andWedge means for blockin rotary action of the said member and jam ing theparts in closed position While the tooth part is in said pocket.

2. A latch mechanism including a striker having a tooth part, and arotary latch member having a tooth pocket to receive said part, andWedging means for blocking rotary action of the said member while inmesh with said part; said means being retractive independently of thesaid member to release it.

3. A latch mechanism including a striker having a tooth part, a rotarylatch member having a tooth pocket for said part, and

means for blocking rotary action. of the said member While meshing Withsaid part and exerting a turning effect in said member in closedposition and being retractive independently thereof; said member beingrotative by said tooth part when the former shifts bodily to and frommesh with the tooth.

4. A latch mechanism including a striker having a tooth part, a rotarylatch member having a recess for said part, means for blocking reverserotar action of said member While meshing Wit and at the same timeurging it against said part, and means for lightly, yieldably holdingsaid member in a ready position When free of said blocking having arecess for said part, means for turning said member into abutmentagainst said part 4and for blocking a reverse rotation therefrom, aretractor for withdrawing said means from sai-d member, and spring meansfor bringing said member to a normal, ready position when and While itis disengaged from the blocking means.

6. A latch mechanism including a striker having a tooth part and a latchsocket, a rotary latch member having a body part to swing into thesocket and having a tooth lug flanked by a recess on either side; saidtooth operative to rotate said member upon engagement with said lug, andmeans for blocking reverse rotation of said member While it `1s ineifective position in the striker socket and including a springconstantly urgin g' the blocking means with a wedging action in the.latch.-

7. A latch mechanismv including a striker having a tooth part and alatch socket, a rotary latch member having a body part to swing into thesocket and having a tooth lug anked by a recess on either side; saidtooth operative -to rotate said member upon engagement With said lug,and means for blocking reverse rotation of said member While it is ineffective position in the striker socket and exerting a rotative jambingaction of the mem-ber and killing lost motion.

8. A latch mechanism including a striker having a tooth part and a latchpart socket, a rotary latch member having a body part to swing into thesocket and' having a substantially radial tooth lug engageable With saidtooth part to turn sai-d body into the socket` means for blocking areverse rotation ofthe member and having a constant turning and Wedgingpressure thereon when -in blocking position, and a retractor fordisengaging said means from the latch member to permit it to be reversedby said tooth part.

JOHN R. sMrrH.

